Northern California
Point Reyes, California
Point Reyes in the nationally recognized landing site of Sir Francis Drake.
The official plaque at Point Reyes seashore describing Drake’s landing.
NOVA ALBION
On June 17, 1579, Captain Francis Drake sailed his ship, Golden Hinde, into the gulf of the Farallones and the Bay that now bears his name. He sighted white cliffs and named the land Nova Albion.
During his 56 day encampment in California, Drake repaired his ship, established contact with local indians, explored inland, took on supplies and water, and claimed the region for Queen Elizabeth I.
The Golden Hinde set sail on July 25 and ventured into the unknown Pacific. Reaching Plymouth, England on September 26, 1580, after a voyage of two years and nine months, Drake became the first Englishman and expedition commander to circumnavigate the Earth.
Drake’s exploits and claim encouraged England to colonize Roanoke in 1585, and Jamestown in 1607. Captain John Smith, in 1616, named the East Coast of New England, a reflections of Drake’s Nova Albion.
Sir Francis Drake Quadricentennial Committee
June 16, 1979
San Fransisco Park, San Fransisco, CA
This monument commemorates the first protestant service in North America performed by Drake’s chaplain, Francis Fletcher, in June 24, 1579. It was paid for by George William Childs in 1894.
The text on the front reads, “Presented to Golden Gate Park at the opening of the Mid-Winter Fair January 1 AD 1894, as a memorial of the service held on the shore of Drakes Bay about Saint John Baptist’s Day, June 24 Anno Domini 1579 by Francis Fletcher, Priest of the Church of England, Chaplain of Sir Francis Drake, chronicler of the service.”
The text on the back reads; “First Christian Service in the English Tongue On Our Coast, First Use of the Book of Common Prayer in Our Country, One of the First Recorded Missionary Prayers On Our Continent, SOLI DEO SIT SEMPER GLORIA (To God alone always be the glory, my translation).”
Soli Deo Gloria is one of the five solae used by the Protestant Church.
Lakspur Landing, Marin County, CA
Statue of Sir Francis Drake erected in 1990 in Lakspur Landing in Marin County. As of 2020, the thirty foot sculpture has been removed due to fears around public safety in the event that the sculpture was torn down by protesters.
Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Video from ABC 7 covering the issue of changing the name of Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
California Albion 